Archives for February 6, 2014

Sabres-Senators Preview (AP)
Buffalo Sabres (15-33-8) at Ottawa Senators (25-21-11) (The Sports Network)
Senators face must-win game vs. slumping Sabres (NHL.com)

‘Crosby and Malkin scored dazzling, breakaway goals Wednesday night against Miller, leading Pittsburgh to a 5-1 victory over the Sabres. It was the goaltender’s last game in Buffalo before the Olympic break – and possibly his last with the Sabres if he’s dealt before Friday’s trade freeze – and he didn’t have much of a chance to stop the team’s free fall.’

‘“I think I was on the outside looking in,” Miller said. “The way people were talking, yeah, it did kind of sting. I think it was more a testament to the way USA goaltending has developed the last few years. It’s great for U.S. hockey, but at the same time, you don’t want to be pushed out of the equation.”’

‘Bylsma had a unique perspective. He was an American who hailed from Michigan, Miller’s home state, and was Crosby’s boss. Rather than sympathize with Miller or cheer for Crosby, he examined the Olympics through the long lens of a coach. He imagined what decisions he would have made if he ran the show.’

‘So when Latvia came calling, Nolan was all ears. He still had coaching in his blood.’

‘Crosby flat-out owns the Sabres and he’s dogged Miller his entire career. No. 87 scored a highlight-reel goal and added an assist to continue his red-hot play against Buffalo in an easy 5-1 victory for the Penguins at First Niagara Center.’

‘Not long ago, Sabres became a strong home team, compiling a 6-0-1 stretch inside the First Niagara Center. Now, they’re 0-5-3 in their last eight games here.’

‘“That’s the biggest thing. I don’t have to think,” Ennis said earlier this week inside the First Niagara Center. “I’m a little more instinctive. When I start thinking about Xs and Os, that’s when I start to stop moving my feet and stop making plays. I need to play my game and want the puck and make plays with the puck.”’

Crosby, Malkin lead Penguins to 5-1 win over Sabres (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Jaromir Jagr leading Czechs in fifth Olympic Games (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Olympic break plans vary for some players (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Crosby snaps slump as Penguins rout Sabres (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Penguins say they have to adjust to ‘clutching and grabbing’ (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Endgame: Penguins 5, Sabres 1 (PittsburghPenguins.com)
Photo gallery (PittsburghPenguins.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)

‘“Not a lot of teams want to trade their best young prospects,” Murray says. “But there could be some young guys stuck on good teams who aren’t happy.”’